David Sobey Obituary – Death: Chair Emeritus of Sobeys Inc. head has Passed Away at age 92, Cause Of Death
David F. Sobey, a prominent figure who once served as the head of Sobeys Inc., passed away at the age of 92 on September 18, 2023. The announcement of his death was made by the board of directors of Empire Company. Although the cause of his death has not been disclosed publicly by his family, details regarding his obituary and funeral arrangements have been released.
David Sobey was a man who cherished both his family and his connection to the natural world. In 1950, while studying at Dalhousie University, he met his lifelong companion and wife, Faye Naugle. David had a deep love for the outdoors, and he thoroughly enjoyed taking his loved ones on adventures, whether it was sailing on the Northumberland Strait, skiing at Wentworth, golfing at the Abercrombie Golf Club, or fishing in the St. Mary’s River.
David’s roots in the grocery store industry ran deep, as he followed in the footsteps of his older brothers Bill and Donald. He learned the ins and outs of his family’s growing grocery business from an early age, doing everything from tending to potatoes in the cellar to delivering groceries with his mother.
His lifelong passion for the grocery industry was ignited by this early exposure to the family business. Over the course of his career, he held various significant roles, including CEO of Sobeys Inc. from 1986 to 1995 and Chairman of the Board from 1995 to 2001. Even after his retirement in 2001, he was named Chair Emeritus by the Board of Directors of Sobeys Inc. and continued to serve on the Board of Directors of Empire Company Limited until 2015.
While he may have stepped away from day-to-day operations, he remained deeply committed to the company. He frequently visited stores to check inventory, assess working conditions, and engage in business discussions. His dedication to providing excellent service to customers never wavered.
The funeral arrangements for David Sobey are as follows: Condolence visitors are invited to Crombie House at 1780 Abercrombie Road in New Glasgow on Monday, September 25, 2023. Visiting hours are from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A memorial ceremony for David will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Trinity United Church, located at 151 Temperance Street in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
All of David’s extended family, friends, and acquaintances are warmly welcomed to attend the service at Trinity United Church. The First Presbyterian Church, situated across the street from Trinity United Church, will livestream the ceremony to make it accessible to David’s wide network of friends.
Please note that churches have specific parking policies for families. A shuttle service will be available to transport attendees to and from the Aberdeen Business Centre at 610 East River Road in New Glasgow. Visitors are kindly requested to arrive at the Aberdeen Centre by noon on the day of their visit. Those who prefer to park on their own will have access to Glasgow Square and the lots surrounding the Farmers Market.
